One of my favorite things about makeup is that there’s always room to step up your game. I love to imagine all the tips and tricks that I’ve yet to learn.
I’m always looking to get better at doing smokey eyes. I’ve come across hundreds of smokey eye tutorials, and I think these 10 are some of the most helpful ones. I hope you find them useful, too!
1. A smokey eye video tutorial with MAC Pro makeup artist Chantel Miller
2. A black smokey eye by Christine of Temptalia.com
3. A video how-to showing ways to use Stila’s Talking Palette
4. Get a high fashion look with this smokey eye by MissChievous of Specktra.net
5. A smokey eye video tutorial starring Kim Kardashian (and her awesome makeup artist)
6. A purple smokey eye video tutorial courtesy of makeupgeek.com
7. A Smashbox smokey eye video tutorial
8. A smokey look by Vanessa of NessasaryMakeup
9. Sandy Gold’s 2-minute smokey eye video tutorial
10. Sephora video how-to: smokey eyes for a variety of skin tones
And early this year when MAC Fafi came out I attempted this brief tutorial for a black and gold smokey eye… I’ve been thinking about doing a new one for a different smokey look.
I dig video tutorials, but I also like written ones that I can print out and refer to later.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Do you feel like you do a good smokey eye? What are your favorite tips?
Shefali says
October 22nd, 2008 at 7:18 amLove Chantel Milller!! I went to a class earlier this year that she taught. Amazing.
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 7:19 amHi Shefali,
Lucky you! I hope to attend one of her classes in the future. I bet you learned lots of good tricks!
Do you remember your favorite tip from the class?
Dao says
October 22nd, 2008 at 7:38 amI watched one of Kim K’s tutorial videos and it seem to go on and on and on 🙂 The smokey eyes one has 5 parts and I learned some tricks from her makeup artist (lucky girl!) Ah, my easy breezy two step smokey eyes tut did not make your editorial cut T_T
Dao´s last blog post..Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser: Basic Face Wash for Everyone!
Laurie says
October 22nd, 2008 at 7:54 amThanks for these! I’m actually sporting the Chanel Smokey Eye Quad today. I really love this quad:)
Katee says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:40 amThank you so much – I am looking forward to watching these!! I think I am pretty good at the smokey eye but there is always room for improvement!
Katee´s last blog post..Poll: Just for fun!
Shefali says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:41 amHey Karen! You know what she said that is SO true? For a pop of color, she puts a neutral shadow on the lid, and then smudges a dot of shadow smack on the middle of lid. She did it at the beginning of class on the model, because she said by the end it will have spread across the lid and look perfectly blended. I couldn’t believe it…but she was TOTALLY RIGHT!! Awesome tip. I’ve used it and it works.
She is also a firm believer in using liner pencils as bases for eyeshadows. She will literally color the lid with a pencil before putting the matching shadow over it. It looks amazing.
Shefali says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:41 amHey Karen! You know what she said that is SO true? For a pop of color, she puts a neutral shadow on the lid, and then smudges a dot of bright colored shadow smack on the middle of lid. She did it at the beginning of class on the model, because she said by the end it will have spread across the lid and look perfectly blended. I couldn’t believe it…but she was TOTALLY RIGHT!! Awesome tip. I’ve used it and it works.
She is also a firm believer in using liner pencils as bases for eyeshadows. She will literally color the lid with a pencil before putting the matching shadow over it. It looks amazing.
Milan says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:41 amThank you thank you thank you for this list! I love smokey eyes and I’ve been looking to perfect my skills. I’ve seen a couple of these but not all so I’m looking forward to having a day to go through them and “play in my makeup”. I’m excited. LOL
Vanessa says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:57 amThis is awesome! Thanks Karen! Hope you are doing well! 🙂
cloudburst says
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:42 amI like the Chantel Miller video best – the look has dimension and is editorial without being over the top.
Some of the easiest smokey eyes I’ve done has been using just a black eyeliner and a bit of eye gloss to smudge the pencil out. It’s not the most long wearing look, but you can pat a little loose powder over the edges to prevent smearing. Just don’t rub your eyes!
gio says
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:42 amI love smokey eyes! Thanks for these.
tatiana says
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:01 amYes bring on the smokey eye! Smokey eye til I die!
Sylvie says
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:43 pmHi Karen,
Why don’t you create a look similar to the smokey eye you did for your brother’s graduation for your friend’s wedding? I recall that it was a gorgeous look and it didn’t seem too over-the-top for a daytime event.
Angel says
October 22nd, 2008 at 1:10 pmAww, none of those peepers are yours ;D
Thanks for all the tuts–great tips from all of them!
Indian Girl says
October 22nd, 2008 at 1:23 pmAwesome list Karen ! I am a sucker for smokey eyes !
The easiest thing I do is to load my ring finger with black shadow, dab it over my lid. Then use a shimmery gray shadow over it and just blend with my finger. Load up on the mascara and am done ! I just have to be careful to not drag the shadow out of the lid / way into the inner corner 🙂
lexi says
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:14 pmas much as i HATE kim kardashian i must admit that i like her smoky eyes and she is so cute without any makeup and don’t get me started on how i wish i had her body =(
Rae says
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:42 pmAlas! There are no tutorials for Asian monolids 🙁 But, nonetheless, thanks for the great compilation, hon!
Miss QQ says
October 22nd, 2008 at 7:12 pmHi Karen. You are right, there’s neverending learning with makeup! Thanks, I will take my time to view the above tutorials. 🙂 I have to do mine a little different because of my Asian eyes, where the double eyelid is half hidden by the top lid but it is not monolids.
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:53 pmHi Dao,
Sorry, I forgot about that one. I think it’s a good tut, so here’s the link for the other readers. 🙂
Even more smokey eyed goodness…
Dao’s Two Step Smokey Eye Tutorial
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:54 pmHi Laurie,
Yay! You’re wearing my palette Chanel crush! How did you wear it today?
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:54 pmHi Katee,
You’re welcome! 🙂 What are your smokey eye tips?
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:55 pmHi Shefali,
The neutral color on the lid and the pop of color in the middle is totally new to me. I can’t wait to try it. Did she use a Paint Pot underneath, or any sort of primer?
Thanks for sharing these tips, girlie!
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:55 pmHi Milan,
Hee! Me too! I love having those days when I can just sit around a play and try new techniques. Hopefully I’ll get one of those days soon. i just have to hold on to the end of the month, sigh.
Do you have any favorite smokey eye techniques or tips?
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:55 pmHi Vanessa,
You’re welcome! Your tut is so helpful and of course your pictures always look great. Have a good rest of your week!
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:56 pmHi Gio,
You’re welcome. 🙂 What’s your smokey eye method? Got any good tips you’d like to share?
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:56 pmHi Tatiana,
I’m so gonna put that on a t-shirt. 🙂
Do you have a favorite smokey eye tip?
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:56 pmHi Sylvie,
I may just end up doing that one if I don’t think of anything else. It’s my default function look, so I wanted to try something different. You really can’t go wrong with Chanel though…
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:56 pmHi Angel,
Nope, not this time. 🙂 You’re welcome… glad you liked it!
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:57 pmHi Indian Girl,
Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed this one.
Thanks for sharing your smokey eye tip. I’m going to have to try this technique… it’s totally new to me. What shades do you like to use?
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:57 pmHi Lexi,
Y’know, I really wanted to hate the Keeping Up With the Kardashians show, but when I watch it the Britney effect takes over me: I just can’t stop staring. I want to, but to pull myself away is almost physically impossible.
Oh, and it’s totally unfair that she’s so cute without makeup on. And dang, seriously, even I have to admit her booty is worthy of worship.
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:57 pmHi Rae,
You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy the tuts as much as I do.
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:57 pmHi Miss QQ,
You’re welcome. Yeah, I have to do my eyes a little different too, as my crease isn’t as deep. I gues we all learn tips and tricks to bring out our features along the way, which I think is so much fun because you never stop learning.
Do you have a favorite smokey eye technique?
Marisol says
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:42 pmoh man! I love all of these youtube videos. Thanks! I really like videos because I can see the different techniques.
Karen says
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:46 pmHi Marisol,
Yeah, me too! I really like watching how people use their brushes… I’m fascinated by technique!
Sexy Sadie says
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:19 amI prefer the tut to be with images and text instead of a video tut. Then I can go on in my on tempo.
Dao says
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:28 amHi Karen,
Thank you girlfriend for promoting me 🙂 I really appreciate it. The smokey eyes look is hot and timeless. Plus it really looks good on Asians.
fauxflush says
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:14 pmI got the smokey eye look down a few years ago, and I rock often In my opinion, there are 2 keys to wearing the look successfully. First, I know it’s cliche, but you’ve got to wear the “attitude” that matches the makeup. If you’re in the mood to be a wallflower one evening, pick a different makeup concept. People notice a girl with strong makeup (I think that’s part of why I love it!). Second, while I love very dark eye makeup, it has to be blended REALLY well, and it’s important to prep the lid properly so the pigments don’t fade unevenly as the night wears on. Patchy color will not only draw attention to the makeup rather than your awesome eyes, but will also make you uncomfortable wearing it.
Give me some deep, dark, sooty, maybe even sparkly lids ladies!
Kitty says
October 27th, 2008 at 9:53 pmI love this post!
Bröst says
June 6th, 2009 at 7:43 amI like the makeup from Christine of Temptalia, it look cool with those spider lashes.
Blovet Beauty says
August 21st, 2009 at 4:31 amthks for this post as i’m quite the smokey eye lover ! smashbox video was really usefuL!..
.-= Blovet Beauty’s last blog post… G DRAGON EYES ON U! =-.
Jessica says
October 19th, 2009 at 1:46 pmThanks girl, I really love this post! I love smokey eyes however, I aint a pro at it. ;( But hopefully these videos help.
Karen says
October 19th, 2009 at 2:04 pmHi Jessica,
You’re welcome! Smokey eyes take a lot of practice. Just be patient — you’ll get there!
vanessa says
January 7th, 2010 at 8:11 amHi guys if you want the perfect smokey eye tutorial check out this youtube channel! http://www.youtube.com/pixi2woo its so great and really helped me!!! xxxxxxx
Tammy says
January 30th, 2010 at 3:45 pmI am actually quite new at the whole makeup thing. I am 36 and really just now learning how to apply it. I think my eyes are my best feature so I really am looking for tips and hints to help me make them POP. I am so loving these tutorials. I have been so afraid of even trying the smokey eye. I mostly stick with neuteral and safe looks but for Valentine’s day I really want to try my best to be pretty and want my makeup to be special. If anyone has any tips or hints or advice I would be eternally greatful for the help. My email is morierea@yahoo.com and I would really appreciate any help you can give. I hope you all have a great weekend and thanks for you help in advance.
Blessed Be,
Tam
JESY says
April 15th, 2011 at 8:14 pmi love the look of a smokey eye- think it looks fantastic…but I’ve always been nervous to give it a shot since I have a pretty fair complexion …(redhead green eyes)..but have a military ball coming up and want to do something different and awesome 🙂 most of these techniques include a lot of blacks and charcoals… should I go w. the same or something different to adjust to the fairness…? thanks 🙂